Leukemia

What Is Leukemia?

Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. White blood cells (also called leukocytes
or WBCs) fight infections and other diseases.

In leukemia, the bone marrow (spongy material inside the bones)
makes many white blood cells that aren't normal. These abnormal WBCs crowd the bone
marrow and get into the bloodstream. Unlike healthy white
blood cells, they can't protect the body from infections.

Sometimes leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-uh) spreads from the bone marrow to other parts
of the body, like the chest, brain, or liver.

Leukemia is the most common type of cancer
in children. But most kids and teens treated for leukemia are cured of the disease.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Leukemia?

Kids with leukemia may get more viral or bacterial infections than other kids.
These happen because their white blood cells can't fight infections.

They also may get anemia,
which is when there's a low number of red blood cells. This happens because leukemia
cells crowd the bone marrow. This prevents bone marrow from making the usual amount
of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

Kids with anemia may:

look pale

feel very tired, weak, or short of breath while playing

bruise very easily, get a lot of nosebleeds,
or bleed for a long time after even a minor cut

Other symptoms of leukemia can include:

pain in the bones or joints, sometimes causing a limp

swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands) in the neck, groin, or elsewhere

poor appetite and weight loss

fevers with no other symptoms

belly pain

Sometimes leukemia can spread, or metastasize. If it spreads to
the brain, symptoms may include headaches, seizures, balance problems, or vision problems.
If it spreads to the lymph nodes in the chest, symptoms may include breathing problems
and chest pain.

What Causes Leukemia?

Doctors don't know exactly what causes leukemia. But most cases happen when there
is a change (mutation) in a gene that happens spontaneously. This means that the genetic mutation was
not passed down from a parent.

How Is Leukemia Treated?

A pediatric
oncologist
(a doctor who specializes in childhood cancer) will lead the medical team
caring for a child with leukemia. The oncologist works with other specialists, including
nurses, social workers, psychologists, and surgeons.

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for childhood leukemia. The dosages and drugs
used may differ based on the child's age and the type of leukemia.

Looking Ahead

With the proper treatment, the outlook for kids and teens with leukemia is quite
good.

Most childhood leukemias have very high remission rates, with some up to 90%. Remission
means that doctors see no cancer cells in the body. Most kids are cured of the disease.
This means that they're in permanent remission.

Having a child being treated for cancer can feel overwhelming for any family. But
you're not alone. To find support, talk to anyone on the care team or a hospital social
worker. Many resources are available to help you and your child.